The emperor pondered as he held the letter sent by the Emperor of Northern Yan. The letter said that Concubine Rong was pregnant and asked the emperor to take good care of her and her child. It also talked about the future development of the two countries.

The emperor muttered softly, "It seems that Concubine Rong has long known about the musk incident and has been quietly recuperating. She is a thoughtful woman. This child must not be kept, lest it create hidden dangers for the Great Qi."

"Chen Fu, quietly dispose of the child in Concubine Rong's womb."

Eunuch Chen looked at the emperor in surprise, "Your Majesty, this old servant obeys your command."

Time flies, and on New Year's Eve, the Princess's Mansion is decorated with lights and a scene of joy. Red spring couplets are pasted all over the doorframes, and exquisite window grilles are pasted on the windows. Every corner of the mansion is filled with the rich flavor of the New Year.

The Shen family, all dressed in gorgeous clothes, sat in the main hall chatting. Grandma's face was wrinkled with smiles. "The New Year in Beijing is still so lively! There are constant sounds of firecrackers everywhere."

"Mother, the capital is the most prosperous place in the entire Da Qi. Yunzhou and my hometown can't be compared with it."

The two daughters-in-law of the Shen family touched the fabric of their clothes and looked at them carefully, "Sister-in-law, this fabric is so comfortable."

"Of course. This is the fabric worn by the Empress in the palace. How can it not be comfortable? If I were in my hometown, I would never be able to wear such fine fabric in my entire life."

"Wife, don't tell me about it back home. You won't be able to find such good material even if you see it."

"This is all thanks to Xiaorou and Xiaoxue."

"The eldest daughter-in-law is Xiaorou. She generously used the cloth gifted by the emperor to make a set of clothes for each of them. They eat well, live well, and have maids to serve them. What's the difference between their lives now and those of the noble ladies in the capital?"

"Mom, we remember Xiaorou's kindness."

"Just remember it. We should be grateful as human beings."

"Mom, don't worry!"

Grandma sighed deeply and said, "Our whole family didn't go back to our hometown this year, and no one visited your sister's grave. We have food and drink, but she has no money to celebrate the New Year in the graveyard. What should we do?"

"Mom, don't worry. Xiaorou has already ordered someone to visit her sister's grave."

"That's good."

Shen Rou and her two children, as well as Shen Xue, the future consort of the third prince, have all received invitations from the emperor. Today they are going to attend the New Year's Eve dinner in the palace.

Shen Rou was dressed in a lavender palace dress, noble and elegant. Her hair was piled high, and a golden hairpin was inserted into it, swaying back and forth as she walked.

Shen Xue wore a gorgeous light blue pleated skirt with delicate floral embroidery on the hem. She wore a belt around her waist, from which hung a sachet, emitting a faint fragrance.

Shen Xue supported Shen Rou and walked slowly in front, while Chunyan and Xia Yu followed closely behind with the two children in their arms.

"Mother, when will father return?"

"Yan'er, Qing'er, do you miss your father?"

The two children nodded softly.

"Yan'er and Qing'er, your father will be back soon. Your mother will take you and your aunt to the palace to attend the New Year's Eve banquet today."

"Is there anything delicious?"

"Yes, but we have to eat in the mansion before entering the palace."

"Mother, there are delicious foods in the palace, why do we have to eat in the mansion first?"

"The dinner starts late, and you brothers will be hungry by then."

"Besides, today is the New Year's Eve banquet. Your uncle is rewarding the civil and military officials for their hard work throughout the year. They all brought their families to the banquet, and they wouldn't be able to eat well even if they went."

"Then let's eat our fill at the mansion before we go!"

Everyone came to the main hall, and when grandma and grandpa saw them coming, they asked, "Yan'er, Qing'er, are you happy to celebrate the New Year today?"

"I'm happy. We had a lot of fun building a snowman in the backyard with my uncle today."

"You will know whether you have completed the task assigned by your father or not."

"Mother, we played after we finished practicing with uncle."

"That's good."

At this time, Shangguan Rui came over with his guards, "Happy New Year, Grandma and Grandpa."

"Happy New Year, Third Prince."

Everyone looked at Shangguan Rui, a handsome man with a modest demeanor. Xiaoxue felt that marrying such a man was a blessing she had earned in her previous life.

Shen Xue and Shangguan Rui looked at each other and smiled.

Shangguan Qing said in a baby voice, "Third brother, are you here to take us to the palace?"

Shangguan Rui picked up Shangguan Qing and said, "Third brother, come and take our Qing'er to the palace for the banquet, okay?"

Shangguan Qing nodded happily.

"Third Prince, let's eat something to fill our stomachs first. Would you like to join us?"

"Well, the delicacies in the palace are good, but they are not as good as the food in the mansion."

After the meal, everyone took a carriage to the palace. When they arrived at the palace gate, the palace was decorated with lights and was full of joy.

The carriages coming to attend the banquet blocked the imperial gate, and the ministers and their families slowly approached and came over to say hello.

Grand Tutor Ye came over with the younger generation in the palace, "Your humble servant greets Princess Mu and the Third Prince."

"Master Ye, no need to be polite."

"Princess Mu, please. Third Prince, please."

"Please come in, Master Ye."

Everyone headed towards the palace. Seeing that Shen Rou was moving slowly, Mrs. Ye also slowed down her pace and chatted with her while walking.

At this moment, Zhuang Shiwan and her servants were in the Concubine Qi Palace, complaining aggrievedly, "Aunt, Wan'er originally thought that after I married the Third Prince, I would be able to help you and the Second Princess to some extent. I didn't expect that Shen Xue would get there first and snatch the position of the Third Prince's Concubine."

"Auntie has been planning for Wan'er for so long, but now it's all gone to waste. Wan'er feels sorry, but it's of no use."

Concubine Qi had been depressed for many days because of this matter. After hearing what Zhuang Shiwan said, she felt even more unwilling and angry, but she did not show it.

"Auntie, are you willing?"

Concubine Qi gently patted the back of Zhuang Shiwan's hand and said deliberately: "Wan'er, the emperor has issued an imperial decree to drop this matter. I will help you find a good husband."

"Aunt, if Shen Xue has an affair with someone else, this marriage will definitely be canceled."

Concubine Qi looked at Zhuang Shiwan fiercely and said angrily, "Wan'er, don't act so recklessly. Prince Mu is in power, and even your grandfather, the Minister of War, can't afford to offend him."

"Besides, the Emperor values ​​his younger brother, Prince Mu, so this matter can only be dropped."

Zhuang Shiwan whispered a few words in Concubine Qi's ear. After pondering for a moment, Concubine Qi slowly said, "Wan'er, who gave you this idea?"

"I thought of it myself."

Concubine Qi looked at Zhuang Shiwan and asked, "How could she come up with such a meticulous plan? There must be someone behind the scenes directing her, otherwise, with her temperament, she would never have thought of such a scheme."

"Aunt, after this is done, even if Princess Mu is not satisfied with my cousin as her brother-in-law, she will have to marry my sister to my cousin for the sake of Shen Xue's reputation."

Concubine Qi thought for a moment and said, "I haven't heard anything about Shen Xue today."

"Aunt, don't worry! Your niece has never been to your palace."

"Mammy, the young lady is not familiar with the palace. Please send someone to accompany her to prevent her from getting lost."

"Old slave obeys the order."

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